Located in central Japan, Nagoya is an ideal place to base oneself if travelling.
With the Japan Rail Pass, short trips to just about anywhere on the main island is possible and highly cost effective.
It is the birthplace of one of Japan's most popular past times, Pachinko, and similar to Kyoto, Nagoya has a rich history.
While it may be argued that it lacks the character of other big cities in Japan, the surrounding areas
more than compensates for this. Inuyama, Seto and Toyota are just a few examples of neighbouring
cities that are worth checking out.

PLACES TO VISIT

Sakae

The area forms a huge commercial area, mainly around Otsu Street running north to south and Hirokoji Street stretching east to west. There are major department stores, such as Matsuzakaya, Maruei and Mitsukoshi, and large-scale shopping centers, such as Parco, Nadia Park (with International Design Center), and Lachic, offering stylish products including fashion items, cosmetics, bags and household goods. Recently, luxury brand stores opened along Otsu Street, forming one of Japan's largest brand streets. It is a great place for shopping. There is also a vast mall spreading underground. Three underground streets, namely Central Park, Sakae Mori No Chikagai, and Sakae-chika, connect the station, department stores and commercial buildings, so it is very convenient.

Inuyama Castle (Main Image)

Inuyama Castle was completed in 1537. It was built by Oda Nobuyasu, who was the uncle of the famous daimyo Oda Nobunaga, who tried to unify Japan in the 16th century. The top level of the castle tower is an observation room measuring 7.3 m north to south and 5.5 m east to west, and it retains the fine characteristics of when the castle tower was first designed. It is roughly 25 m high measured from ground level, and is designated a National Treasure.

Nagoya Castle

Nagoya Castle is known throughout the world as one of Japans greatest castles, alongside Himeji and Kumamoto Castles. The five-tiered donjon was roughly 19.5 m in height from the bottom of the moat to the stone wall on the foundation, and the building was 33.5 m tall. Most of the buildings were destroyed by fire in the air raid of May 1945, during WWII, but donjon and other structures were rebuilt in 1959. The gold sea creatures ornamenting the roof were also restored then and are popular among the residents of Nagoya as the city's symbol, along with the castle.